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PROGRESS WITH PURPOSE

2020/2021 GRADUATE CAREERS IN

YOUR TRAINING LET’S DISCOVER HEAR IT TOKYO FIRST-HAND A timeline of every step Half a year on secondment Our trainees have their say XXXXXXX XX

WHAT’S INSIDE...

03 THE CONTRIBUTORS

04 WHO ARE WE?

05 WHERE WE ARE

06 YOUR LAW CAREER: A JOURNEY

08 CAMPUS AMBASSADORS

09 THE FIRST STEP PROGRAMME

11 VACATION SCHEMES

13 TRAINING

16 HEAR IT FIRST-HAND: MAJDIE HAJJAR, TRAINEE

18 SECONDMENTS

19 LET’S DISCOVER TOKYO

21 HEAR IT FIRST-HAND: SABRINA KLEIN, TRAINEE

23 FINDING A SOUNDING BOARD

25 LOOKING BACK: OUR PARTNERS ON THEIR DEVELOPMENT

27 OUR APPLICATION PROCESS

31 YOUR APPLICATION

32 GET IN TOUCH CONTENTS THE CONTRIBUTORS 03

THE CONTRIBUTORS

MAJDIE DAVID SABRINA JOANNA HAJJAR MARSHALL KLEIN SURIAKUMAR Fourth-seat Partner Fourth-seat Graduate trainee trainee recruitment advisor

CLAIRE LAUREN PHILIPPA CHARLOTTE O’DONNELL BIRT WILSON HORNBY Graduate Associate, Senior graduate Associate, recruitment former trainee recruitment former trainee partner advisor

EMILY AMY ISOBEL DAN BAILEY MCCARTHY MOFFAT METCALFE Former campus Graduate Vacation Graduate ambassador and recruitment schemer and recruitment future trainee advisor future trainee partner

MARIA SARAH NIKESH STURLA ESPRIT ARYA Associate, Vacation Associate, former trainee schemer and former trainee future trainee

FRONT COVER IMAGE: JOSHUA, GEORGIA AND SHIVANI. (Joshua and Shivani recently became associates, and Georgia is a fourth-seat trainee.) WHO ARE WE? 04

OUR GLOBAL REACH FOR OFFICE * AND TRAINING A Rating 35 COUNTRIES + 50 OF TRAINEES OFFICES >50% GO ON GLOBAL 6 SECONDMENTS CONTINENTS

WE’RE THE FIRM WHERE YOU’LL MAKE REAL PROGRESS. WE’RE A GLOBAL WHO OF MORE THAN 3,700 LAWYERS AND OTHER LEGAL STAFF, PROVIDING A FULL LAW ARE TO SOME OF THE WORLD’S PREEMINENT AND WE? FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS.

SECTORS WE WORK IN A FEW OF OUR CLIENTS

Financial AIG institutions Transport BNP Paribas Cyber Law Firm Citi of the Year Technology Energy HSBC and innovation Pfizer

Rio Tinto Infrastructure, Life sciences mining and Shell and healthcare commodities Vodafone H WHERE WE ARE 05 Our riverside office sits side by side with City Hall. Norton Rose Fulbright has two UK locations on its global roster: the office, one of our biggest teams offering a full range of services, and the Newcastle Hub, where we work on innovative tech to improve and accelerate legal processes. As a trainee, you’ll be based out of the WHERE London office, so let’s find out more. WE ARE

ituated on the river at the southern end the Thames itself, running straight through the of Tower Bridge, nestled side by side with heart of the city – and right past our front door. City Hall, the Norton Rose Fulbright London office is a stunning spot for both You may not always be in the office, but when you Sclient meetings and views of the city. are, it couldn’t be easier to get here. By bus or by tube, on foot or on wheels, the More London Within a stone’s throw of our offices, you’ll find precinct is ideally placed. so much that makes the South Bank what it is. Borough Market to the west, its independent stalls However you arrive, our ninth-floor view of the flourishing beneath the distinctive shadow of the skyline is waiting there for you. Stretching from Shard. The Tower of London across the river; its Canary Wharf to the City of London, you’ll see so Ceremony of the Keys a nightly tradition for 700 much of what this remarkable city has to offer. years. The Globe, the National Theatre, the Tate And believe us – it’s a lot to take in. Modern within walking distance, and of course

YOUR LAW CAREER: A JOURNEY 06

YOUR LAW CAREER: A JOURNEY

From your very first opportunity What’s important to say is that everyone’s path is here – whether it’s our First Step different. Though our suggested route will give you a thorough insight into our firm, it’s not all programme or a vacation scheme essential. Not everyone will be a campus – you’re always working towards ambassador. Not every trainee will do a vacation your next milestone with us. Not scheme with us – though we do offer some training contracts to students who impress us in these everyone begins their career with weeks. Some future trainees might even come to us us at the same point, yet every with other legal experience entirely; for instance, trainee makes their own unique you might have worked as a either here or at another firm. progress on the road to qualification and beyond. Similarly, once you get to trainee and associate level, your path is yours to decide. You can aim for other senior roles other than partner, such as Of On the next page we’ve laid out all the or professional support lawyer. It’s all up opportunities you can consider when looking to to you, and we’ll support you to make the progress kick-start your career with us. In fact, we’ve even that matters to you. shown the direction you could take after the end

of your as you start to aim for Continued overleaf H associate, senior associate, and even partnership opportunities at our firm.

YOUR LAW CAREER: A JOURNEYXXXXXXX XX07

WHAT AM I AIMING FOR?

You might join us at any point – not everyone comes to us for a vacation scheme, for instance – but here’s a guide to all the steps along the way:

CAMPUS AMBASSADOR The beginnings of your relationship with us, promoting1 THE FIRST STEP our brand to your university. PROGRAMME A rare first glimpse of legal work: 2our one-week taster of life VACATION as a trainee. SCHEME Finding the right firm: Your window to work across our sectors for one to two3 weeks. TRAINEE Get a two-year training contract with us and begin your career 4in earnest. ASSOCIATE Excel in your training contract and you’ll qualify into your choice of area as an associate.5 SENIOR ASSOCIATE You’re growing your 6business acumen and client PARTNER relationships – and nurturing those around you too. A strong leader with an established client base, you’ll guide your team – and 7our firm. CAMPUS AMBASSADORS 08

BE A CAMPUS AMBASSADOR IF YOU WANT AN UNBEATABLE HEAD START TO YOUR LEGAL CAREER. AS WELL AS GIVING ME A UNIQUE INSIGHT INTO THE FIRM AND THE LEGAL WORLD, IT HELPED ME LAND A PLACE ON THE KEY FACTS SUMMER VACATION SCHEME.” Open to first-year EMILY students, to take on the FORMER CAMPUS AMBASSADOR role in their second year AND FUTURE TRAINEE Role for the academic year

Remuneration, application deadline and programme dates on our website CAMPUS AMBASSADORS

You don’t have to wait ow does this benefit Then, you’ll use that insight to until you’re almost you? Well, it’s the help others connect with us sense of belonging too. You’ll plan virtual or graduating to start you’ll get from our in-person events, research Hfirm. Over the year, you’ll work sponsorship ideas and build getting to know us better. In fact, you closely with our graduate links to university societies and recruitment team – the same your law , picking up can do it while you’re team who will consider your plenty of valuable workplace still at university, future application – and you’ll skills as you go. promoting our firm as gain insight into how we work as a firm. a campus ambassador. THE FIRST STEP PROGRAMME 09

SCHEME SUPPORT Please visit our website for information regarding remuneration THE for our schemes. FIRST STEP PROGRAMME

Graduation might be far off for you, but it’s never too early for a first taste of working life. Every year, a fresh intake of determined first-year students spend a week with us, either in person or virtually, on this unique programme.

ur First Step even get involved in it, whether programme offers an it’s working on pitch proposals, in-depth beginners’ helping to draft contracts, or KEY FACTS experience for hopeful completing research tasks with Ofuture lawyers. A precursor to our trainees and associates. Open to first-year the vacation scheme but just as students and second- immersive in its work schedule, But what about life beyond year students of a this week-long programme the work? Over the course of four-year course is perfect for first-year the week, you’ll get a feel for undergraduates or second-years that too. Whether it’s online A week’s immersion on a four-year course. or in person, you’ll discover in our firm our culture through social Over the course of the week, events and workshops, and if Application deadline you’ll experience one of our you say yes to everything that and scheme dates on practice areas and see the high comes your way you’ll create an our website profile, rewarding work that experience to remember. goes on there. In fact, you’ll Continued overleaf H THE FIRST STEP PROGRAMME 10

By working with a partner in project finance, I got an in-depth introduction to how projects are executed from start to finish and a first-hand look at how deals unfold in real time.”

2019 FIRST STEP STUDENT

I was amazed to find myself in high-level client meetings, internal strategy conference calls and crunch-time negotiations with opposing parties.”

2019 FIRST STEP STUDENT

H The bustling More London precinct, full of lunchtime options and night time atmosphere. VACATION SCHEMES 11

WHO IS EACH SCHEME FOR?

The Winter and Spring schemes are for final-year students and graduates of any subject

The Summer schemes are for penultimate-year students of any subject

VACATION Please see our website for deadlines and SCHEMES scheme dates

The moment it dawns on you; that moment when That’s because, when you’re not you know you’ve found the place that’s right for working, you’ll be getting to know our team. Whether you’re you: that’s the insight you’ll get on one of our meeting our partners in person vacation schemes. or through live virtual Q&As, you’ll make new connections e run four The first thing to say is, because – and ones that might well separate of COVID-19, your scheme might define your career. Because we opportunities be in-person, virtual, or a mix of offer training contracts to those here: two summer the two. We’ll let you know well who perform well on their Wschemes for penultimate-year in advance which to expect, and vacation schemes, you could law and non-law students, and whichever it is, you’ll have our progress your career a long way the spring and winter schemes full support. With a current in a matter of days. for final-year students and trainee as a buddy and an Continued overleaf H graduate applicants of all associate mentor, you’ll be disciplines. Whichever is right ready to face everything the programme has to offer, whether for you, we’ll pack a lot into your SCHEME experience. After all, picking it’s group projects, live work and SUPPORT your firm is one of your first big client research in the office, or Please visit our decisions in a career in law and immersive assessments and website for information we want you to know you’re practice group Q&As on our regarding remuneration making the right choice. virtual programme. Either way, for our schemes. you’ll find that there’s never a dull moment. VACATION SCHEMES 12

Much of the work I did was for clients in emerging markets which made it even more exciting as it was all very new. On the last couple of days, I had a research project to complete on the real boom in Africa. I couldn’t have asked for more interesting work.”

ISOBEL 2019 VACATION SCHEMER AND FUTURE TRAINEE

H Our in-house canteen and are just a few of the facilities on offer at our offices.

I really enjoyed being able to talk to people about the work they were doing. My department were really friendly and more than a few people took the time out to expand on a deal I had an interest in. All you had to do was ask.”

SARAH 2019 VACATION SCHEMER AND FUTURE TRAINEE TRAINING CONTRACTS 13

Your training contract is the most important element of your KEY FACTS progress with us. You’ll hit plenty Open to finalists and of landmarks here; some of them graduates in any pretty major. subject, and penultimate-year law students

Two-year full-time programme

Application deadline and dates available on our website TRAINING CONTRACTS

efore you start your training contract, Two will be in banking and corporate and you’ll we’ll cover the fees for the courses have the chance to complete a seat in disputes and exams that enable you to become or one of our more specialist practice areas, and a . Currently in and maybe even a secondment either to a client or one BWales, all trainee lawyers with a law degree of our global offices. Throughout your four seats undertake the (LPC), we’ll support you to explore our practice areas and while those with a non-law degree study for the sector specialisations and discover what you’re Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL). This will all interested in. We’ll base your seat choices both on change from 2022 though, with the introduction your ambitions and on our business needs. of the Qualifying Examination (SQE) which all of our students will take. However, You’ll go from trainee to qualified solicitor over two if you start a law degree, LPC or GDL before years, with the support of both your trainee buddy September 2022, you’ll still be able to qualify via and your mentor: an experienced partner you can the traditional route with our full support. We always turn to for tailored guidance. You’ll also provide maintenance grants to assist you through work closely with our trainee development team to your studies too; £8,000 if you’re studying the plan your next seat and map out the structure GDL, and £10,000 if you’re on the LPC. of your entire training contract.

Once you’re through your exams, you’ll start your Next step? Aiming for senior associate – training contract – and start training as a lawyer and beyond. for real. The training contract is two years, made Continued overleaf H up of four six-month seats. TRAINING CONTRACTS 14

YOUR BENEFITS

PRIVATE MEDICAL INSURANCE

GP SERVICE REWARDING DENTAL INSURANCE OUR TRAINEES

LIFE ASSURANCE From your very first day with us, you’ll be learning, growing as a lawyer and helping PERSONAL us to progress together as a firm. We make PENSION PLAN sure you feel recognised for what you do,

INCOME with a generous rewards package – as well PROTECTION as plenty of support for your wellbeing too.

EMPLOYEE Continued overleaf H ASSISTANCE PROGRAMME

25 DAYS’ FIRST ANNUAL HOLIDAY YEAR

INTEREST FREE SEASON TICKET LOAN £48K CAR SCHEME & CYCLE-TO-WORK SCHEME SECOND MORTGAGE YEAR ADVISORY SERVICE SALARY

SUBSIDISED GYM YOUR £52K MEMBERSHIP £82.5K ON-SITE COUNSELLING ON QUALIFYING ANNUAL EYE TESTS TRAINING CONTRACTS 15

HOW THE TRAINING CONTRACT IS STRUCTURED

With our training contract, you’ll always have a firm sense of where you’re heading. The training contract spans , then two years with the firm, including four seats and endless challenges. Below, you’ll find a timeline that outlines each logical step.

Legal training course Whether you start on the GDL, LPC or SQE, you’ll get ready at law school with funding from us First seat Six months Now you join us for real in your first practice area – with a thorough induction first Second seat Six months Time to move to a new seat – and you’ll get training at the start of each one Third seat Six months A third new area? Or maybe a secondment? There’s a lot to discover 7 Fourth seat Six months Working in your final practice or secondment, you’ll plan for the future too Qualification The next stage of your 8 development begins, as a newly9 qualified lawyer HEAR IT FIRST-HAND: MAJDIE 16

HEAR IT FIRST-HAND: MAJDIE HAJJAR,

TRAINEE efore I started down this path, I originally wanted to be a . I was doing mini- MAJDIE IS A FOURTH-SEAT when I realised it wasn’t really TRAINEE WHO STUDIED for me: it can be quite a lonely profession, Band I wanted something more collegiate. LAW AT LSE. HE’S WORKING IN DISPUTES, FOCUSED ON Plus, as a barrister, where you live can be set in stone CORPORATE AND BANKING for life, really, and I realised I didn’t want that. With LITIGATION, WHITE COLLAR a law firm like ours, you can spend time in offices around the world. It leaves your options open. AND INVESTIGATIONS. So, after I switched paths, I started to look for firms I could join. I went to a lot of networking events where I kept meeting Norton Rose Fulbright lawyers and chatting to people from the graduate recruitment team, and I’d always leave thinking, ‘Yes, I can see myself working there.’

Continued overleaf H HEAR IT FIRST-HAND: MAJDIE 17

Once I joined, I found that even by the end of my first year, I was getting into really meaty projects. After a first seat in banking, where I was learning the ropes, doing typical trainee tasks, and dealing with legal documents, I went straight into a client secondment at AIG.

You’ve really got to keep your mind open to opportunity. That seat was taking a bit of a plunge for me - I’d never imagined doing something like that so soon – but it was offered to me as an option. At that point, another trainee who’d just done it waxed lyrical about the team and the work, so I went for it – and I was very happy I did.

I think secondments, whether it’s to a client or an international office, make you a better trainee. I definitely came back to the firm a much better rounded lawyer than when I left and I can’t I was very lucky in the opportunities I had as well: speak highly enough of it. I got to work on so I attended two hearings and a during much that I wouldn’t normally have experienced, my six months, and now I’ve stayed in disputes particularly looking at post-Brexit issues. for my fourth rotation too. My third seat in disputes was where I really hit Some of the things you do to start with are going my stride: I found the area I wanted to qualify to be time-consuming work. At one of the hearings into and I was given a lot of responsibility with I did I was in charge of more than sixty bundles of plenty of opportunities to draft. For example, I documents; managing them, getting the indices helped draft pleadings, statements and together, all of that. It’s a rite of passage, I think, instructions to counsel. and even if it takes a long time, you’ll know you’re making a vital contribution to the case. Plus, if I THINK SECONDMENTS, you prove you can get your head down and work hard, that’s when you get the big, meaty tasks. WHETHER IT’S TO That’s when it gets really exciting. A CLIENT OR AN The thing is, you don’t go from trainee to associate INTERNATIONAL OFFICE, overnight. As you’re moving through your seats, MAKE YOU A BETTER you’ll start to do the same work that an associate TRAINEE.” would do. Your experience is a gradual process of increasing responsibility and learning to really think on your feet. It’s great for you as a future lawyer. SECONDMENTS 18

A change of scenery. Your secondment is a big step, and it’s one you’ll always remember – whether it’s six months abroad, or six months on a client secondment.

At some firms, secondments are a rarity. experienced lawyer. We’ll support Here, the vast majority of trainees will you with everything from do one, either abroad or with a client, accommodation arrangements to because to us, it’s a milestone en route language classes, and you’ll broaden to becoming a better, more broadly your horizons – and your expertise. DUBAI MOST TRANSACTIONS ARE STILL GOVERNED BY ENGLISH LAW, BUT THEY HAVE A MORE EXOTIC FLAVOUR WITH COMPANIES ESTABLISHING THEMSELVES IN EMERGING ASIAN MARKETS. OUTSIDE WORK, TRAVEL IS A HUGE PART OF TRAINEE LIFE.” NIKESH ASSOCIATE, “I RAN MY FIRST SOLO DEAL IN FORMER TRAINEE DUBAI. I MANAGED THE FINAL STAGES OF THE TRANSACTION, AS WELL AS THE CLOSE. IT GOES TO SHOW THE LEVEL OF TRUST THAT’S PLACED IN YOU BY COLLEAGUES WORLDWIDE.

MARIA ASSOCIATE, FORMER TRAINEE SECONDMENTS LET’S DISCOVER TOKYO 19

Charlotte, one of our associates, shines a light on her time as a trainee on secondment – six months in Tokyo. TOKYO LET’S DISC VER...

ne of the first things I learnt in Tokyo I joined the banking and finance team which was that business cards, or name cards, specialises in cross-border shipping finance, would be a big part of my life there. My so I worked with teams in the US, Singapore first client meeting was on my second and Hong Kong. Liaising with teams across such Oday in the office, and my team made sure I had my disparate time zones called for a lot of careful cards with me. When you meet a new client or project management. colleague for the first time, you bow and swap Continued overleaf name cards, one at a time. Then, as a mark of H respect, you keep those cards on the table throughout your meeting. LET’S DISCOVER TOKYO 20

Charlotte enjoys Sashimi – a local dish of thinly sliced raw fish. I HIKED, ISLAND-HOPPED, ATE AMAZING SEAFOOD, AND WENT DIVING AND EVEN SKIING.

After work, I’d sometimes go for a run around the Imperial Palace. The palace itself is closed to visitors, but there’s a 5km route well-trodden by those working in Tokyo’s central business district.

At 8pm, it was often time for a Nomikai, or ‘drinking party’. Common among our Japanese clients, these dinners are a great way to network or celebrate a recent deal closing.

The typical working day for us started a little later I spent most of my spare time exploring. I hiked, than London’s – around 9.45am. Transport links island-hopped, ate amazing seafood, and went from my apartment were good, but it was only a diving and even skiing. Initially, six months away half-hour walk so I usually took advantage of the from home can feel like a long time, but if you sunshine. Sometimes I went to Tsukiji fish market make the most of it, that time will fly – and you’ll on the way: there’s nothing better than a sushi grow so much from the experience. breakfast, especially with arguably the best tuna in the world!

In the morning I’d review transaction documents and maybe draft a response to a client’s questions. In the afternoon it wasn’t unusual to meet clients, even if only to nurture a relationship by trading views of market trends and seeing what more the firm could offer. I also corresponded with a syndicate of lenders and sponsors, preparing for financial close, drawdown or delivery of an asset.

The team celebrate at the notoriously tiny bars of Nonbei Yokocho. HEAR IT FIRST-HAND: SABRINA 21

HEAR IT FIRST-HAND: SABRINA KLEIN, TRAINEE

SABRINA STUDIED FRENCH studied languages at university, and then did AND GERMAN AT KING’S a Masters in European Literature, so actually I came relatively late in the day to deciding to be COLLEGE LONDON AND IS a lawyer. I’ve always been quite wordy, quite CURRENTLY IN HER FOURTH Iacademic – I’m very meticulous and logical as a SEAT IN PROJECTS AND person. I think law held some for me in that PROJECT FINANCE, FOCUSED sense as a route into the commercial world. ON ENERGY, INFRASTRUCTURE I probably went to about thirty recruitment AND NATURAL RESOURCES. evenings, and the Norton Rose Fulbright one really stood out to me. I think it was the first one where I really felt comfortable and felt people were taking an interest in me. One partner specifically asked a lot about my part-time work and it was the first time I’d felt a recruiter appreciated the skills I’d gained. I went home and put in my application for the vacation scheme the very next day.

Continued overleaf H HEAR IT FIRST-HAND: SABRINA 22

There’s real care for you as a person – even at interview. I was interviewed by a female senior associate and she talked to me about being a woman in a law firm, having children in a law firm. I think it’s really important that the firm talks about supporting your lifestyle; even things that can seem far off right now.

I loved my vacation scheme experience as well. I loved the environment: I would be working with a partner, and people would be dropping in throughout the day. I went to lots of internal meetings; sat in on lots of calls. I got to see very quickly the sheer range of things that go on, and how commercially focused the work is.

The great thing was, with everyone I met, I still got that sense of genuine interest in me. I never felt like anyone was grilling me or assessing me; just getting to know me as a person. Especially coming from a non-law background, it made me Something that’s surprised me about the training a lot more comfortable. contract, I think, is how much you grow as a lawyer even without realising. It’s hard in the moment to I’ve been able to put my studies to good use as well. see the achievements you’re proud of, but when I went to Paris for a seat in asset finance, to work you look back on each six months, you really with the aviation team there. It meant that, from start to realise quite how much you’ve progressed. studying French at university, I had the chance to use You pick up so much knowledge too. It can all be it at a professional level – and of course, you have a lot of work to get your head around as a trainee, language lessons as well to support you with that. but it’s so rewarding.

As an example, I’m working on a mining WHEN YOU LOOK BACK ON infrastructure project at the moment, with a long- EACH SIX MONTHS, YOU standing relationship between the lenders and client. It means I get to learn what’s happened REALLY START TO REALISE on previous financings; how the relationship QUITE HOW MUCH YOU’VE has developed and been maintained through PROGRESSED.” contentious times. You pick up so much so quickly about the sector – about mining, about - specific issues, about involvement in these types of projects. It’s complex work, but it’s always genuinely fascinating. FINDING A SOUNDING BOARD 23

FINDING A SOUNDING BOARD

We spoke to newly-qualified LAUREN: associate Lauren, and David, a The first time that I met David was when I got an email through to tell me he was my partner partner in our corporate team, who mentor. That’s when we met for coffee and a chat began mentoring her as a trainee. about how we’d both come to be at the firm. Together, they talk to us about their DAVID: dynamic and how a partner mentor It was early on in Lauren’s training contract, and I can be just what you need. remember she’d just been given her first big job to do - something to test her nerve a little bit - so it was good to talk it through with her.

Continued overleaf H FINDING A SOUNDING BOARD 24

DAVID: It was a really exciting opportunity for Lauren, and when it comes to something like that, you need someone to bounce it off. It isn’t the same to go home to your housemates, friends or family: you need someone who understands what it means to you, who can see it with a different pair of eyes.

LAUREN: They deliberately structure the partner mentor scheme so that you don’t already have connections with them. It means David’s perspective is completely removed, so I have someone knowledgeable but unbiased that I can turn to. The best part of it is that he steers me to LAUREN: find the answers for myself. I was quite excited: it’s always good to meet people in new departments and at different levels of the DAVID: firm. Particularly, it was great to meet someone so It’s all about being a bit of a wise counsel; a enthusiastic about my progression, who also has sounding board. Passing on the things I’ve learnt years of experience to inform their advice. over twenty-odd years. The law has given me grey hairs over things that I might, with hindsight, DAVID: not have stressed over so much – so now I can The key thing to me is to be able to offer that hopefully help Lauren cope much better. experience on the things that, for a trainee, might be quite stressful or daunting. Lauren can come to me with something and I can help her put it into perspective. Of course, the other area where I can hopefully help is in career planning and how to approach her contract in a broader sense.

LAUREN: David’s very easy to talk to about new opportunities, like when I went to him about a client secondment I’d been offered. I was obviously really thrilled, but also initially worried that it might impact on later seats, particularly when it came to international secondments. LOOKING BACK 25 BACK LOOKING

OUR PARTNERS ON THEIR DEVELOPMENT

Your development here is constant, CLAIRE: There’s no such thing as a ‘typical’ from one accomplishment to the Norton Rose Fulbright lawyer. I think Dan and I sum that up – one Oxbridge, one not; one law next; the milestones extending far graduate, one non-law; one state-educated and beyond your training contract, with one from private school. a different path for everyone. Our DAN: Our paths – both in education and since we graduate recruitment partners, joined the firm – are different because you have Dan Metcalfe and Claire O’Donnell, the space to be individuals. You can shape your know all about that – because they own track, as we both have. Continued overleaf started here as trainees themselves. H LOOKING BACK 26

CLAIRE: For me, that’s been in mergers and acquisitions and joint ventures, but I also look at business ethics and corporate governance. It’s a mix of transactional and advisory work, with clients that span the consumer markets and sectors.

DAN: By comparison, I’m a bit of a chameleon who’s adapted to market forces. I’ve gone from financing schools in Sheffield to working with power plants in Ghana. The flip came through a secondment at The Standard Bank of . It opened my mind to the world of emerging markets, and sectors like mining and telecoms. Now they’re a big part of what I do.

CLAIRE: The firm is a broad church with space to find your niche. Three of my original intake are still in my current team, but all work in different areas. Another now works in the Singapore office.

DAN: The development doesn’t stop when you qualify either. Every day you’re honing your skillset. Meeting new clients and colleagues. Adding more strings to your bow.

CLAIRE: You’re always building to something. Associate. Senior Associate. Partner. And it’s a rigorous process. To become partner, you have to prove you’re more than a technically able lawyer. That you can bring in clients and make business cases for the work you want to pursue. That comes in time, as you find your strengths. CLAIRE: Your learning curve will open up options all the way through your career. Your training DAN: There’s more than one route to partner. contract, like mine and like Dan’s, is just the start Claire and I illustrate that. But being partner of finding your place with us. isn’t for everyone and there are different roles to suit different aspirations, like Of Counsel and DAN: It’s a great firm. I genuinely like coming to professional support lawyers. work, and I like the people around me. Sure, there are tough days, long days, stressful days, but it’s part and parcel and you never have to manage them on your own. OUR APPLICATION XXXXXXXPROCESS XX27

OUR APPLICATION PROCESS

Our simple three-step process ends with an offer or, if you’ve reached the assessment stage, constructive feedback. Remember, we value different viewpoints and educational experiences, so we’re open to all degree subjects and all universities. We also carry out contextualised application reviews and operate a blind interview policy so that we consider every application on its merits and avoid any unconscious bias.

P 1 P 2 P 3 TE TE TE S S S

ONLINE CV, TELEPHONE ASSESSMENT DAY COVER LETTER & INTERVIEW (For training contracts and PSYCHOMETRIC vacation schemes only) TESTING Upload your online CV and Hit our benchmark on the Complete a virtual covering letter, outlining psychometric test and you’ll assessment day or an your academic history, be invited to take part in a in-person assessment day work experience, skills and telephone interview with at our London offices, reasons for applying to us, someone from the Graduate which includes: then if you pass the initial Recruitment team. • a negotiation exercise screening, you’ll be invited • an interview with two to take a Watson Glaser partners psychometric test. • meeting our current trainees. OUR APPLICATION PROCESS 28

YOUR ONLINE CV, COVERING LETTER, AND PSYCHOMETRIC TESTING 1 ome undergraduates It’s also where you can outline apply to 30 or more what you’ve learnt from the firms and then find things you’ve done and explain it hard to do each how that might make you a Sapplication . Our advice? more effective lawyer. Part- Focus on researching those time work, sports, involvement firms you really want to work in groups and societies, for, and get your applications to placements – they can all help them absolutely right. you develop vital attributes like resilience, people skills, For us, it starts with a well- organisational flair, initiative written online CV and covering and the ability to think on your letter. This is your chance to feet. So think broadly about tell your unique story and your experiences and what show you’ve thought through you’ve gained from them. the reasons behind the choices you’re making. For instance, If your CV and covering letter we’ll want to know why you’ve impress us, we’ll then invite settled on a career in law, why you to complete our online in particular, psychometric tests – Watson and why you think Norton Rose Glaser and Swift – testing your Fulbright would be a good fit critical thinking and aptitude. for you. STEP

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WHAT SHOULD WHEN CAN I APPLY FOR? I APPLY?

FIRST YEARS (ALL SUBJECTS) OR You’ll find all the most up-to-date SECOND YEARS OF A FOUR YEAR application deadlines, as well as details COURSE CAN APPLY FOR: on scheme starting dates on our website: nortonrosefulbrightgraduates.com • First Step Programme You can also keep up with news on what’s • Campus Ambassadors happening at the firm and stay informed during the application process by following PENULTIMATE-YEAR STUDENTS us on social: (ALL SUBJECTS) CAN APPLY FOR: @NLawGrad • Summer Vacation Schemes

Norton Rose Fulbright Graduates UK PENULTIMATE-YEAR LAW STUDENTS CAN APPLY FOR: Norton Rose Fulbright • Summer Vacation Schemes

• Training Contract (after receiving second-year grades) H

FINALISTS AND GRADUATES A QUICK NOTE BEFORE YOU APPLY (ALL SUBJECTS) CAN APPLY FOR: We want our application process to be open to everyone, so if you have a disability – even • Winter Vacation Scheme if you’re not sure what adjustments you might • Spring Vacation Scheme need – all you need to do is get in touch. You can do that either by email or phone: • Training Contract Email: graduate.recruitment@ nortonrosefulbright.com Telephone: +44 20 7444 2113 GET IN TOUCH 32

GET IN TOUCH

ANY QUESTIONS? nortonrosefulbrightgraduates.com NEED ADJUSTMENTS? YOU CAN GET IN [email protected] TOUCH WITH OUR TEAM AND WE’LL BE HAPPY TO HELP. +44 20 7444 2113

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